Use gestures

Content provided by Microsoft

Applies to: Mixed Reality

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Getting around HoloLens is a bit different from using Windows on other devices. Instead of moving the cursor with a mouse, you use your gaze. And instead of clicking or tapping, you use hand gestures, your voice, or the HoloLens clicker.

For a tutorial on some basic gestures, use the bloom gesture to go to Start and select Learn Gestures. If you're having trouble with gestures, see HoloLens and holograms: FAQ.

The gesture frame

HoloLens has sensors that can see a few feet to either side of you. When you use gestures, you'll need to keep them inside that frame, or HoloLens won't see them. As you move around, the frame moves with you. When your hand is inside the frame, the cursor will look like a ring. When HoloLens can't see your hand, the cursor will change to a dot.

The gestures

Once you know these basic gestures, getting around on HoloLens will be a snap.

The bloom gesture

The bloom gesture opens the Start menu. Most of the time, you only need to use the gesture once to get to Start, but sometimes you'll need to use it twice. If you're ever not sure what to do, the bloom gesture is a good way to get reoriented. You can also use it to pause a game or to hide the Start menu.

To do the bloom gesture, hold out your hand with your palm up and your fingertips together. Then open your hand, like this:

Tip

Ask Cortana to take you to Start by saying "Hey Cortana, go home."

Gaze

Use your gaze to move the cursor and highlight apps and other holograms for selection. Turn your whole head, not just your eyes, and the cursor will follow. When a hologram is ready to select, it will be highlighted.

Air tap

Use air tap, along with gaze, to select apps and other holograms.

Gaze at a hologram.

Hold your hand straight out in front of you in a loose fist, then point your index finger straight up toward the ceiling. There's no need to raise your whole arm—keep your elbow low and comfortable.

Tap your finger down, then quickly raise it back up again.

Tap and hold

To tap and hold, start with an air tap, but keep your finger down instead of raising it back up again.

Use tap and hold to:

Scroll. On the app bar, select Scroll Tool . Tap and hold until the tool appears, then slowly move your hand up and down or side to side. To scroll faster, move your hand farther from the center of the tool.

Drag. On the app bar, select Drag Tool . Tap and hold until the tool appears, then slowly move your hand up and down or side to side.

Zoom. On the app bar, select Zoom Tool , then tap and hold until the tool appears. Slide your hand up to zoom in and down to zoom out.

Pin, unpin, or uninstall an app. Tap and hold an app tile on Start or in the All apps list, then select one of the menu choices.

Resize an app. Gaze at a corner or edge of an app window, and tap and hold. Move your hand to change the app's size, and raise your finger when you're done.

Resize a hologram. Gaze at a hologram, and tap and hold with both hands to select it. Make the hologram bigger or smaller by moving your hands farther apart or closer together. When you're done, raise both index fingers.

Rotate an app or hologram. Gaze at a hologram or at the edge of an app window, and tap and hold with both hands to select it. Rotate by keeping one hand steady and moving your other hand around it. When you're done, raise both index fingers.

Move an app or hologram. Gaze at the app bar or at a hologram, and tap and hold to select it. Move your hand to position the app or hologram, then raise your finger to place it.